Matthews was forced off with 34 minutes gone in Wales Under-21s’ defeat in Italy on Tuesday night after aggravating a dead leg he sustained against Hungary on Saturday.

The extent of the 18-year-old’s current problem was being assessed by medical staff at Cardiff City today.

But Jones should have other full-back options at his disposal, with Darcy Blake back in training after missing international duties and Kevin McNaughton back and fit after making himself available for Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Goalkeeper David Marshall, who missed both of Scotland’s qualifiers with an elbow problem, is expected to be fit to take his place between the sticks for City’s encounter with Hull.

Meanwhile, a decision is expected by the weekend on the future of centre-half Chris Riggott with Cardiff.

The former Middlesbrough and Derby defender has been training with the Bluebirds for several weeks.

Recently a behind-doors reserve friendly was arranged against Llanelli ostensibly for Jones to run the rule over Riggott in a match situation.

A decision on whether to offer the 30-year-old a contract at the club is expected in the next few days.

The Bluebirds go into Saturday’s game having enjoyed a good start to the new campaign. They remain unbeaten and are currently second in the Championship table behind QPR on goal difference.

Hull have found it hard to adapt to life in the second tier so far after being relegated from the Premier League last season.

After an opening-day win over City’s arch-rivals Swansea, Hull are yet to register another victory in the league, recording one draw and two defeats since.

Indeed, last time out, the Tigers lost 3-1 at a Doncaster side who had been put to the sword 4-0 in Cardiff just seven days before.

Manager Nigel Pearson, who left Leicester in the summer to take over at the Tigers, had been musing on calling upon the services of midfield talisman Jimmy Bullard for the trip to the Welsh capital, but that now looks unlikely.

Bullard signed for Hull from Fulham for £5m in January last year, but saw his season decimated by injury.

Pearson has not played Bullard this season fearing an injury would scupper hopes of a potential move for the former England squad member. But, with the transfer window now closed, Bullard is with the Tigers until at least January.

Bullard is set to hold talks with Pearson, but his omission from a Hull City reserve side this week all but rules him out of playing any part against Cardiff.

However, Pearson has kept the door open for the 31-year-old.

“Jimmy comes back into the plans, but we’ll have to see how it goes,” said Pearson.

“If he trains well and shows up well, I’m sure he will get his chance.

“His performances at the end of last season were mixed and he’s got a lot to prove to show he deserves a place in the side.

“Jimmy wanted to play Premier League football and we wanted to reduce our wage bill.

“It would have been in everyone’s interests, but we haven’t had one Premier League team come in for him.

“That leaves Jimmy as a Hull City player and he will be treated like any other member of the squad.”

But Pearson still has plenty of offensive options to test Cardiff this weekend.

Highly-rated young striker Jay Simpson joined Hull from Arsenal last month, but is yet to find the net in three outings.

Slovenian international midfielder Robert Koren, who starred in the World Cup, will also ask questions of the Bluebirds’ defence after moving from West Brom.

Pearson also has teenage playmaker John Bostock on a season-long loan from Tottenham at his disposal for the match. Bostock was on target for Hull with a sensational 30-yard strike in their win over Swansea

In the Tigers backline, one man who could line up against Cardiff is former Bluebirds centre-half Anthony Gerrard.

The defender moved to Hull on a season-long loan last week and is eligible to play against his parent club.

Gerrard’s move meant midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, on loan at Cardiff from Hull, can feature for the Bluebirds on Saturday.